Analysis of Cloud Seeding Experiment by Aircraft: A Case Study of an International Joint Experiment in 2019

Abstract

In this study, an international joint cloud seeding experiment (International Joint Cloud Observation and Weather Control Experiment 2019, IJCO-WCE 2019) by aircraft was analyzed using numerical simulations, ground observation data, and aircraft observation data. As a result of numerical simulations, it was found that the seeding material was diffused in a direction consistent with the wind direction observed by the aircraft. Further, aircraft observation data showed an increase in average water concentration of clouds and precipitation particles after seeding rather than during seeding. The average water concentration of clouds observed by the Cloud Droplet Probe (CDP) increased by about 59% after seeding than during seeding, and that observed by the Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP) increased by about 82%. In addition, precipitation particles observed by the Precipitation Imaging Probe (PIP) were hardly noticed during seeding, but appeared after seeding.